Printing machine



Jan. 8, 1929.

T. W. HICKS PRINTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 17, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v 4. .N o2

I n ven for. Thomas IM Hic/(S.

Jan. s, 1929. 1,698,544

' T. W. HICKS PRINTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 17, 1926 f 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 In Vnt/Sr.' Thomas h( c s.

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Patented Jan. ,8, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,698,544 PATENT- OFFICE.

THOMAS W. HICKS, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO ROTARY CARTON MACHINE COMPANY, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, A CORPORATION.

PRINTING MACHINE;

Application filed September 17, 1926. Serial No. 136,131.

with each other between juxtaposed blanket` cylinders so that the outer surface of one sheet is printed.l by one cylinder and the outer surface of the other sheetis printed by the other cylinder at lthe same time, whereby the capacity of the machine is great-ly increased. A further object of the invention is to provide means for separately cutting the printed sheets when the matter printed on one is different from that printed.

on the other.

The full objects and advantages of my 1nvention will a pear in connection with the detailed description thereof, and the novel features of my inventive idea will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the application .of my invention in one of the forms in which it may be embodied, J

Fig. 1 is a view in longitudinal section showing my device arranged for simultaneously printing on two sheets of paper lying in contact with each other, and for then separating the two sheets and cutting and creasing them separately in different planes. Fig. 2 is an elevational view showing the arrangement of gearing used in connection with Fig. 1.

Referring to the construction shown in the drawings, the numerals 10 and l2 designate two rolls of paper from which sheets 14 and 16 are drawn respectively so as to pass conjointly between juxtaposed blanket cylinders 18 and 20, these cylinders in the embodiment shown being lrespectively upper and lower cylinders. The two sheets pass between pairs of curved guides 22 and 24 and pairs of feed rollers 26 and 28, which .bring the two sheets together on the front side of the blanket cylinders and the sheets also pass between pairs of .guide rollers 30 and -32 on the rear side of the printing cylinders.

The curved guides 22 and 24 and thefeed rolls 26 and 28 bring the two sheets of paper together so that they liein a plane in Contact with each other when they pass between the cylinders 18 and 20 regardless of the amount of paper'left on the rolls 10 and 12 and regardless of the positioning of these The guide rolls '30 and 32 prevent' rolls. the printed paper from sticking vto the-blanliet rollers and thus assist in maintaining the two sheets of paper in a plane while passing between the blankety cylinders. type cylinders cooperate with the printing cylinders in the usual manner. In the embodiment shown there are two plate cylinders 34 and 36 in engagement with the printing cylinder 18, and two plate cylinders 7o 38 and 40 in engagement with the cylinder 20, but it will beu'nderstood that more than two may be used in connection with each printing cylinder. Inking mechansims of` any suitable character, indicated at 42, 44,. .'15

46 and 48, serve to ink the plate cylinders.

- It is obvious that ink of different colors may be supplied by the different inking mechanisms. It will be further understood that the upper plate cylinders may carry either 3o ydifferent subject matter or the same subject matter as the lower plate cylinders, and that when the subject matter is different it is often necessary to cut and crease the two printed sheets ina dilerent manner. When Ithe upper and lower sheets are to be cut and creased differently from each other, it is necessary to separate them after they have been printed. The device is arranged to operate as shown in Fig. 1, in which lower and upper curved guides and 95 serve as the separating means. The lower sheet/ passes between a cutting and creasing cylinder 96 and a cooperating cylinder 98, while the upper sheet passes between a cutting and 95 creasing cylinder 96 'and a cooperating cylinder 98. The cutting `and creasing cylinders are provided with cutting rules 100 and creasing' rules 102, which are arranged in accordance with the character of 100 the shape and size of the printed article being produced, there being a greater nurnber of rules shown on the cylinder 96 than on the cylinder 96. The cylinders 98 and 98 are provided with grooves 104 adapted 105 chine, which may be similar to that dis 110 Plate or 65 closed in the application Serial Number 22,- 698, previously referred to, is so constructed that cutting and creasing cylinders may be readily changed and secured .in their proper position. In connection with themanner of operation described in connection with Fig.

1, it will be seen from Fig. 2 that secured to der 96. The arrangement of gears in all U cases is such as-to secure'the proper direction of rotation of the cylinders and maintains 20 them in synchronism.

I claim:

1. In a printing machine, the combination of twojuxtaposed printing cylinders, means for simultaneously feeding two sheets of paper in contact witheach other in a plane between said juxtaposed cylinders, means for separating the printed sheets, and two devices for separately cutting the separated sheets. 2. In'a printing machine, the combination of two juxtaposed printing cylinders, means for simultaneously feeding two sheets of' paper in contact with each other in a plane between said juxtaposed cylinders, means for separating the printed sheets, and two devices for separately cutting and creasing the separated sheets.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aHix my v signature.

THOMAS W. HICKS 

